HARNESSING TIKTOK TO ENHANCE GRADE 10 LEARNER ENGAGEMENT IN LIFE SCIENCES CLASSROOMS

The integration of modern technologies in the classroom has become a key strategy to enhance learner engagement, particularly in subjects like Life Sciences.TikTok, a popular social media platform, hold significant potential as an educational tool to enhance engagement among Grade 10 Life Sciences learners in South African township schools.However, existing research indicates that while TikTok is widely recognized for its entertainment value, its application in education remains underexplored, particularly in addressing common teaching challenges such as limited classroom time, learner disengagement, and language barriers.As such, the current study sought to investigate how the integration of TikTok by Grade 10 Life Sciences teachers enhances learner engagement.The research was grounded in Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), which elucidates that since learners' working memory has a limited capacity, effective learning requires minimizing extraneous cognitive load, managing the inherent difficulty of the material, and fostering meaningful knowledge construction enhance comprehension and retention, particularly in complex subjects like Life Sciences.A qualitative case study approach was employed, including semi-structured interviews and classroom observations of five Grade 10 Life Sciences teachers from four Soweto township schools.The findings reveal that TikTok's short, visually engaging videos helped simplify complex scientific concepts, making them more accessible to learners, particularly those who are digital natives.Teachers reported that TikTok's concise, visually appealing content aligned well with learners' learning preferences, especially those accustomed to consuming content on social media.The ability to present content in an engaging and easily digestible format contributed to increased learner focus and participation during the lessons.However, the study also identified challenges, including issues of digital accessibility.Some learners lacked smartphones or reliable internet access, which limited their ability to participate in TikTok-based learning activities.Additionally, some teachers noted the potential for distractions, as learners were tempted to create their own TikTok videos during lessons, which could disrupt the classroom environment and undermine educational objectives.Based on these findings, the study recommends more investments in digital infrastructure to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equal access to technology for all learners.It also calls for professional development for teachers in educational technology to maximize the benefits of TikTok in the classroom.Furthermore, the study suggests incorporating digital media literacy into the curriculum to better equip learners for the digital world.